[Date]

Dear Landlord/Agent,

We/I write about our telephone conversation on [date]. 

The NSW government have introduced laws to stop eviction based on rental arrears in the next six months. As we/I have mentioned to you, we/I am in financial distress because of the COVID19 health crisis and I cannot afford to pay the rent according to the tenancy agreement. I write to ask that we negotiate for a reduction in rent. 

There is a formal process for rent negotiation facilitated by Fair Trading that we/I intend to use if we cannot otherwise reach an agreement here.

The process will require the parties to work on a good faith basis and the information that will be considered, from both the tenant's and landlord's end are set out on the Fair Trading website, including whether the landlord has sought a mortgage deferral from their financial institution. 

We/I ask that given the circumstances, and the need for the whole community to work together in keeping the economy functioning as well as achieving public health objectives, that we be given a x% rent waiver and an additional x% deferral of the rent. 

We explain our circumstances: 
1. Financial position - e.g. is x% reduction in income and has continued for x number of weeks - we are living solely off our savings and that has depleted and we will soon go into debt. 
2. Centrelink assistance -  e.g. we have applied for Centrelink payment but… 
3. Tenancy history - We have been good tenants for [duration] now. We have not missed a payment but we cannot afford the rent as it is. 

Therefore, we are asking for a waiver of [x]% and an additional [x]% deferral of rent. This amount is based on the 30% of current household income, and it is the universal standard for rental affordability. [We have created a calculator on our website which will assist you to work out your financial position – include link]

We ask that you consider the following, and if agreeable, be the terms of our agreement:

•	The rent payable from [date] is reduced to [$x amount, calculate 70% of usual rent] for 6 months (being the moratorium period);
•	The new rent payable (taking into account the above) is [$amount] but 30% of it is deferred until after the 6 months (after the end of the moratorium period) 
•	The tenancy agreement is extended for 6 months based on the above amounts

We ask that you please consider this request and let us know by [date]. We really want us to work together on this. 

We also ask that you set your position out in writing so as to minimise any miscommunication or misunderstanding. 

Yours sincerely, 

[dated and signed by all rent paying members of the household]